Arch maintaining device



w. G. LOWMAN ARCH MAINTAINING DEVICE Filed June 25, 1952 May 24, 1955INVENTOR.

0 524 W QM United States Patent ARCH MAINTAINING DEVICE William G.Lowman, Chambersburg, Pa.

Application June 23, 1952, Serial No. 294,978

4 Claims. (Cl. 128-80) This invention pertains to an arch maintainingdevice for the arch structure of a human foot and is of the elasticbandage type. 7

Since a very large proportion of people suffer from foot discomfort,much of which is attributable to some defect in the skeletal archstructure of the foot, much thought has been given to the problemsinvolved and a large variety of corrective devices have been proposedand patented. These devices fall into two general classes. First, thereare those of a rigid or semi-firm type used between the underside of afoot and the shoe therefor to occupy the space provided by a normallyarched foot. The second classcomprises more or less rigid devices andbandages or slings intended to operate in a more limitedway on the archstructure to correct minor weakness and prevent strain. The new anduseful device provided by this invention falls in the second class andis of elastic band construction.

It is the general object of this invention to provide an elastic devicethat will exert a mild corrective action on the arch structure of thefoot by operating principally on a particular part of the heel bone orcalcaneus.

Generally speaking, the arch structure comprises an inner longitudinalarch, a lesser outer longitudinal arch, and a forward transverse ormetatarsal arch forming a unitary support. The integrityof thisstructure depends on maintenanceof the heel bone in proper position.When the forward elevated end. of this bone, which is adjacent the innerside of the foot, rotates downwardly and inwardly, the arch structurepartially collapses and strain and discomfort result from pronation.

A specific object of this invention, therefore, is to provide an elasticband that will act constantly on the heel bone in the manner indicated.

More specifically, it is the object of this invention to provide an archmaintaining device comprising an elastic band portion adapted toencircle the heel of a wearer beneath the ankle bone and to act againstthe heel bone, and another elastic band adapted to encircle the instepportion of the foot and hold the heel band in operative relation at alltimes.

These and other features of the invention contributing to satisfactionin use will be more fully understood from the following detaileddescription of a preferred embodiment, when taken in connection with theaccompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the device in operative position onthe right foot of a wearer, the view being taken from the inner side ofthe foot,

Fig. 2 is a similar side view taken from the outer side of the foot; and

Fig. 3 is a plan view to an enlarged scale showing the flat patternconfiguration of the device in partially assembled condition.

An assembled arch maintaining device 10 for a right foot is illustratedin Figs. 1 and 2. The device 10 consists of an elastic arch or instepband 12 having its ends stitched together with an even stitch andwithout overlapping, the connecting stitching, which is not shown,

2,708,930 Patented May 24, 1955 being covered on the outside with areinforcing strip 14 of canvas or chamois, and a narrower heel band 16of elastic material. The ends 18 and 20 of the heel band are secured atpredetermined spaced points to the rearward edge of the instep band 12.

Preferably, the relatively wide band 12 and the relatively narrow band16 are woven in flat pieces of elastic and inelastic thread arranged toafford one-way stretch only in the lengthwise direction of the instepband 12 and the heel band 16 respectively. An elastic thread of mediumtensile strength (two-inch compression) will be used. All free edges ofthe arch and heel bands will be finished. Flat stitching with nooverlapping of edges is used where the heel band 16 is joined to theinstep band 12.

The size, arrangement of parts, and other details of construction willbe given for a small size device 10 for use on the right foot. Theinstep band for other sizes will be similarly proportioned in length. Inthe device illustrated, the instep band 12 has a circumferential lengthof seven inches with parallel end edges. The plantar or foot solecontacting portion has a minimum width of three inches, the length oreach edge under the reinforcing strip 14 is two and one-half inches, andthe reduction or cut back in width from the maximum dimension isone-eighth inch for the anterior edge and three-eighths inch for theposterior edge.

The heel band 16 has a uniform width of one inch and a length of six andone-quarter inches, and is slightly flared at the connecting ends asshown. The length is measured from the dorsal edge of the band. Figs. 1and 2 illustrate the specifically preferred manner of relating theflared or curved end portions 18 and 20 of the heel band 16 to therearward or posterior edge of the instep band 12. It will be noted thatthe curves on the end portions of the heel band 16 start approximatelyone-quarter inch from the point at which the heel band is joined to theinstep band. The medial or inner end 18 of the heel band 16 joins thearch or instep band 12 in the center of the medial side in a manner suchas to form an angle of 115 degrees with the rearward edge of the archband. This angular relation is shown by broken lines as angle a inFig. 1. 0n the lateral or outer side, the corresponding end 20 of theheel band 16 joins the arch band 12 one-eighth inch below the center ofthe lateral side and forms a dorsal angle of degrees. This latter angleis shown by broken lines as angle b in Fig. 2. These angles areobliterated by curving the bands 12 and 16 together at their joinededges in order to remove pressure points and prevent pinching of thewearers foot.

The functional relations of the arch maintaining device 10 to the footof a wearer are clearly shown in the opposite side views of Figs. 1 and2. The bone anatomy corresponding to the foot portions engaged by thearch or instep band 12 and the heel band 16 have been previouslyexplained and identified generally as to position with reference to themetatarsus and calcaneus. The instep band 12 is of a size to extendapproximately from the cuneiforms to adjacent but rearwardly of theheads of the metatarsals, it is widest in the portion adapted to engagethe plantar portion of the foot and narrows toward the portion adaptedto engage the dorsum.

Should the arch device of this invention be made of leather, heavycotton fabric, canvas or the like, it would have some utility but thesupport afforded would be a minimum. The supporting function is,however, a maximum with elastic material because the one-way elasticbands 12 and 16 provide a tension factor which will vary according towhether the foot is weight-bearing or not.

In contradistinction to prior arch supports of this general nature, theheel band 16 is the active component because it supports the footskeleton by continually grasping the calcaneus and preventingsubstantial rotation thereof. Although the arch band 12 circles the bonestructure of the mid arch and inherently gives some support to the softtissues of the foot, its basic function is to act as an anchor and holdthe heel band 16 against the calcaneus.

It has been found that the arch-maintaining device, or arch bandage, ofthe invention is particularly beneficial in the numerous cases wherestrained symptoms are present in the muscles and tissues of the feet andlegs. Relief from these symptoms can be obtained by its use. In suchcases of minor foot and muscle weakness, use of the arch rest by oneengaging in increased physical activity, such as golf, tennis, andoccupations requiring constant standing on the feet, will provide footcomfort and prevent foot strain and weak feet.

For use by women, the arch rest device can be made of a harmonizingcolor so as to be unnoticeablc when worn with open strap shoes.

While a preferred emobdiment has been described in detail, it will beunderstood that variations can be made in details of construction andarrangement of parts without departing from the principles of theinvention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as novel and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. An arch maintaining device consisting of a relatively broad instepband of woven elastic material, said band being of a shape and extentyieldingly to engage only the portion of a wearers foot extending fromthe cuneiforms to rearwardly of the heads of the metatarsals, saidinstep band being widest at the portion adapted to engage the plantarportion of the wearers foot and narrowing toward the portion adapted toengage the dorsum thereof, and a relatively narrow heel band having awidth of the order of one inch and being of woven elastic material, theends of said heel band being joined to the rearward edge of the instepband at spaced points arranged to dispose the heel band entirely belowthe ankle bone and in a position to encircle the rearward portion of thewearers heel and yieldingly grasp the opposite sides of the calcaneus toresist inward and downward rotation thereof.

2. An arch maintaining device consisting of a relatively broad instepband woven of elastic and inelastic threads with the elastic threadsarranged circumferentially of the instep band, said band being of ashape and extent yieldingly to engage the portion of a wearers footextending from the cuneiforms to rearwardly of the heads of themetatarsals, said instep band being widest at the portion adapted toengage the plantar portion of the wearers foot and narrowing toward theportion adapted to engage the dorsum thereof, and a relatively narrowheel band having a Width of the order of one inch and being woven ofelastic and inelastic threads with the elastic threads arrangedlengthwise thereof, the ends of said heel band being joined to therearward edge of the instep band at spaced points arranged to disposethe heel band entirely below the ankle bone and in a position toencircle the rearward portion of the wearers heel and yieldingly graspthe opposite sides of the calcaneus to resist inward and downwardrotation thereof.

3. The combination of claim 2 in which the end portion of the heel bandadapted to engage the inner side of the foot joins the rearward edge ofthe instep band at an angle of approximately 115 degrees, and the endportion adapted to engage the outer side of the foot joins the rearwardedge of the instep band at an angle of approximately 125 degrees,whereby the heel band and instep band will lie fiat against the foot attheir junctions.

4. An arch maintaining device consisting of a relatively broad instepband of elastic material, said instep band being of a shape and extentyieldingly to engage only the portion of a wearers foot extendingapproximately from adjacent the cuneiforms to adjacent but rearwardly ofthe heads of the metatarsals, said instep band being widest at theportion adapted to engage the plantar portion of the wearers foot andnarrowing toward the portion adapted to engage the dorsum thereof, and arelatively narrow heel band of elastic material having a. width of theorder of one inch, the ends of said heel band being joined to therearward edge of the instep band at spaced points arranged to disposethe heel band entirely below the ankle bone and in a position toencircle the rearward portion of the wearers heel and yieldingly graspthe opposite sides of the calcaneus to resist inward and downwardrotation thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,462,534 Condylis et al July 24, 1923 2,013,757 Jung, Jr Sept. 10, 19352,292,643 Layana Aug. 11, 1942

